The Power of Online Business Directories

They are also a great wayto help businessesincrease their Internettraffic and improvecustomer recognition.

There are literally hundreds of

online directories available on

the internet. These directories

are designed to help online

users locate the websites and

information they are looking

for.

There are many reasons why a small business will want to register withthe top directories on the web. Directories serve many purposes, suchas:

• Categorizing websites so that they are easily found using search engines.

• Linking websites to one another for easier access.

• Increasing traffic to individual websites.

• Providing an easy way for consumers to find out about specific companies.

• Boosting Search Engine Optimization (SEO) keywords and tactics for businesses so that they receive higher SERPs (search engine result pages) rankings.

• Helping business websites stand out to potential consumers.

Getting your small business registered on the top online directoriescan result in the following (results may vary and are not guaranteed):

• Increased website traffic

• Increased sales/revenue

• Increased SERP rankings

• More reciprocal links to your website

• Greater brand recognition

• More interactions with customers

• The ability to share deals, promotions, press releases and other special events with customers.

• A better and more comprehensive online appearance

• Google My Business

• Aabaco Local Listings(LocalWorks)

• Bing Places

• Yelp

• MerchantCircle

• Yellow Pages.com

• SuperPages.com

• CitySearch

• MapQuest/Yext

• Local.com

• Foursquare

• LinkedIn

• Angie’s List.com

• CitySlick

• Kudzu

• BONUS! Facebook Fan Page

In order to gain the most out of your business’s website and otheronline materials you will want to sign your company up for listings inthe following online directories:

If you follow the steps, you can use this presentation to get your business listed in all of the top online directories.

However, it can be time consuming. So if you decide that you would rather have a professional – someone who specializes in this stuff – do it for you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Google My Business is a free localplatform directory serviceprovided by Google. It allows yourbusiness to appear on Google’smaps and search engine resultpages. It allows to you betterinteract with your customers.

Google My Business allows you to:

• Auto-respond to your customers

• Post live business updates

• Highlight special promotions

• Find out info about your

customer base

• Locate business specific

keywords and rate their search

ability

Google My Business is free to use.

Google My Business

To submit your business listing toGoogle My Business start bygoing tohttps://www.google.com/business/ . Once there click on the‘Get on Google ’ button.

Steps to Submitting Your Business on Google

Step 1- You’ll first be taken to apage showing a map of theglobe. Type the name and/orthe address of your businesswithin the text box and click onthe magnifying glass to search.

Step 2 - Google will show yourbusiness’s location on its maps. If itdoesn’t find your business you will berequired to create a basic businessprofile for Google Maps.

Step 3 - Confirm yourbusiness. This is simplyreading through theinformation you’veprovided to ensure it’saccurate, and to remindyou to read through theTerms of Service.

Step 4 –Verify yourbusiness by mail so thatGoogle can verify you asa real and actualbusiness. Once verified,you will receive your PINnumber you can activateyour Google My Businessaccount on Google’sDashboard site.

Once you activate your Google My Company account your customerswill be able to read your company profile and locate your business onthe map. They will also be able to find promotions, deals and more.

Aabaco Small BusinessThe Aabaco Small Business, formerly Yahoo! Local Directory, will getyour business listed on LocalWorks, one of the most popular searchwebsites on the internet. On the home page they state that they’rethe “same team, different name.” Getting your business on Aabacolocal listings will vastly increase your online presence however, abusiness listing costs $29.99/month.

To submit your business listing to Aabaco Local Listings go to:

https://www.aabacosmallbusiness.com/local-listings and enter your business’ name before clicking on “Find”.

Steps to Submitting a Directory Request to Aabaco Small Business

Step 1-Provide some details about yourbusiness.

Step 2- Aabaco will “scan and fix” yourlisting, meaning the software will look forerrors including a confusing name orphone number, and will fix them acrossall local listings.

Step 3- Onceyour listings arefixed, you’ll thenneed to verifyyour paymentinformation andproceed to thecheckout.

Step 4- Create an account, or sign in with your existingAabaco account. After this process you’ll be able toconfirm your payment and checkout of Localworks.

Bing Places Directory

To submit your website to Bing Places go to:https://www.bingplaces.com/

Step 1- To claim your business listing clickon the ‘Get Started’ icon.

Step 2- Fill in the information to findyour business listing. Then Click‘Search’.

Step 3- If you don’t have a businesslisting on Bing Places it will not findany matches. Click on the ‘Createnew business’ icon. You will have tologin with or create a Microsoftaccount.

Step 4- Fill in the informationabout your business for eachsection. The more detailsyou can provide the better.

Then click ‘Submit’.

You will now be directed to Bing’s dashboard. From hereyou can upload the details of your business, create itsprofile and add anything else that you want to appear inthe directory.

Step 5- Choose to verify yourbusiness listing by voice or bymail.

Then click ‘Verify’.

Yelp

Yelp is a local internet businessdirectory that allows your businessto grab the attention of localcustomers.

Yelp also provides a place forcustomers to upload reviews ofyour business. It is free to sign upwith Yelp.

To get your business onto Yelplocal start by going to:

https://biz.yelp.com/

Step 1- Like many other directories, you’ll need to start by trying to findyour business.

Step 2- Once you’ve enteredsome basic information, Yelpwill provide you with possiblematches that have eitheralready been claimed, or thatare available to claim.

Step 3- If none of the businesseslisted are yours, scroll to thebottom of the page to add yourbusiness.

Steps to Sign Up for the Yelp Directory

Step 4- You will then be askedto provide some basic detailsabout your business.

Step 5- You’ve almost listed your business on Yelp! The last thing you’llneed to do is check your email for the confirmation that was sent.Once you’ve clicked on the link within the email, your business will beon Yelp!

Hint- In order for your website to gain credibility on Yelp you shouldtake the time to positively review other local businesses. Thesebusinesses may return the favor. Keep it positive however if you wantyour business to establish credibility.

Merchantcircle

Merchantcircle is an online business directory, social business network and

Marketing platform. It combines features from traditional Internet yellow pages sites

such as Yellowpages.com, Citysearch and Yelp ETC.

Merchantcircle is free to join.

To Join Merchantcircle go to:

‘http://www.merchantcircle.com’

and click on the ‘Join’ button.

Steps to Add Your Business Listing to Merchant Circle

Step 1- Enter your business’

information in the box provided.

Then click ‘Create my account’.

Step 2- Register your business by filling out the name, contact information, phone and business category, Describe Business ETC.

Next, provide a few details about your business to increase exposure to new customers.Then provide the payments that your company will accept. After that click on the ‘Add my Business’ button.

Step 3- Next you will be able to choose whether you want the free basic plan, or if you want to pay for a premium plan.Click on either “Get Basic Membership” or “Try it Free” for the premium package.

Step 4- A confirmation email will

then be sent to the email address

you provided. Once you’ve

clicked on the link to verify your

account, you will be an official

member of MerchantCircle !

Step 5- For this step you will need to go to your gmail account and Click ‘Verify your account’. You will then be able to see your Business profile.

Step 6- Click ‘View My Listing’ andset up your business’ profile. Try to make it as complete as possible, as this will help your website’s SEO rankings. Choose your business categories, add a description and hours, add photos and coupons, then post a blog and newsletter. …ETC

Now your Merchantcircle Business page is completely set up….

Yellow Pages.com

Yellow Pages.com is an online version of the classic phone-book directory.Registering your business with Yellow Pages.com allows your business to beeasily found by a search directory that is used by a large number ofconsumers. It also has other tools for helping your business expand.

It is free to sign-up with Yellow Pages.com.

To create your business on Yellow Pages.com go to:

www.yellowpages.com and click on the ‘Get Your FreeListing’ Button , located near the bottom of the page .

Steps for Signing Up with Yellow Pages.com

Step 1- You’ll be taken to another page that will list the benefits oflisting your business on YP. Click on the “Get Your Free Listing” button.

Step 2- Enter your business’sinformation in the box provided

Then Click ‘Continue’.

Step 3- Then you just have tosign up with your email and joinYP!

Step 4 - You will then need to read through YP’s Terms and Conditions andagree to their Terms of Service.

Step 5 – Click on the box that states you’re authorized to act on behalf ofthe business, and agree to the Terms.

SuperpagesSuperpages allows you to create a free online listing that works toconnect your business with your customers. Supermedia offers a rangeof directories designed to enhance your business’s search-ability andrelevance.

To get started go to: http://www.superpages.com/ and enter yourbusiness information before clicking on “Find my business”.

Steps to Setting up a Business Profile/Account on Supermedia

Step 1- Enter your business’ phone number.

Step 2- Find your business’s listing and click‘Select’ or, if your business wasn’t found,select ‘Add Business’ and then ‘Next’.

Step 3- Claim your businessby filling out the form on thenext screen.

Step 4- Add the categoriesfor your business.

Step 5– If you’re a new users,you’ll need to create anaccount and then click on‘Continue’.

Step 6- Agree to the website’s Termsand Conditions by clicking the small boxand the ‘Accept’ icon.

Step 7- You will then receive a confirmation e-mail.Follow the instructions to confirm your account.

Your listing will then be updated onto Superpages’s site.

Citysearch

Citysearch offers its users information about businesses in specificcities. It provides contact information, local maps, directions andreviews about local businesses, which helps consumers choose abusiness they may wish to use in a new city.

Getting your business onto Citysearch’s online directory makes it easyfor anyone traveling to your location to find your business.

To register to advertise your business on Citysearch go to:

https://signup.citygrid.com/cyb/find_business

Step 1- Fill in your

business name

and city or zip

code. Then click

‘Find My Business’.

Steps for Signing Up with Citysearch

Step 2- Choose your businesslisting and click on ‘Claim ThisBusiness’.

Step 3- Create an account and then

click on ‘Claim Today’.

Step 4- Follow the instructions to verify

your business, then agree to the ‘Terms

and Conditions’.

Then click ‘Submit’. Your business will

then be claimed on Citysearch.

MapQuest/Yext

MapQuest is an online mapping and driving directions website. Itmakes it easy for consumers to locate businesses they may wish to uselocally. MapQuest can help your business get found online and willmake it easy for prospective customers to find your location in person.It costs money to get your business on Mapquest.

To get started to go MapQuest’s business

listings home page at: https://listings.mapquest.c

om/pl/mapquest-claims/preview.html

Steps to Getting Your Business Listing

on MapQuest/Yext

Step 1- Enter yourbusiness’s information,including location,phone number andnumber of locations.

Then click on‘Continue’.

Step 2-

Choosewhichpaymentplan youwant to useand click on‘Pick Plan’.

Step 3- Fill out yourcontact information andbilling information.

Then click ‘Place YourOrder’.

Once your order hasbeen processed yourlisting will go live onMapQuest. You willreceive a confirmationemail that will provideinformation regardinghow to edit and seeyour listing.

Local.com is another locally-based online directory thatis available for free to businesses. Local.com helpscustomers find local businesses as well as deals andadvertisements.

To get your businesslisted on Local.comstart by going tohttps://advertise.local.com/.

Then just start fillingout the form with allof your business’information and clickon ‘Next’ whenfinished.

Steps to Listing Your Business

on Local.com Step 1- Your business has been listed and now you just need to

complete your profile! Fill out each of the boxes shown on the‘Create Profile Page’.

Step 2- Fill out your business listinginformation.

Step 3- You will be asked to search forkeywords relating to your business’scategory. Simply type in a keyword thatrelates to your business and the site willautomatically locate relevant keywordsfor you to choose from. Select keywordsthat will help customers locate yourbusiness.

Step 5- Upload any videos you’dlike to have in your listing.

Step 4- Upload any photos you’d liketo include.

Step 6- Confirm yourbusiness’s listedinformation. Then createa password for yourusername.

Then click on ‘ConfirmListing’.

Step 6- Your Local.combusiness listing has nowbeen submitted. You canalso choose to upgradeyour listing options byselecting the ‘Upgrade toPremium Business Listing’icon.

Once your business listing iscomplete you canupgrade to offer morephotos, videos and speciallinks if you choose to.

Foursquare is an innovative online social directory for mobile devices. Itallows online users to locate local venues and businesses while they areon the go. Creating a Foursquare account will increase your business’sonline presence and allow customers to find you on the go.

To get started go to: http://business.foursquare.com/ and click on ‘GetStarted Now’ to claim your listing.

Steps to Setting Up a Foursquare

Business Account

Step 1- Fill in your business’name and location andthen click on ‘Search’.

Step 2- A list of businessesthat match your criteria willappear. You can select oneof these to claim it or, if youdon’t see your businesslisted, scroll down to thebottom and click on ‘Clickhere to add it.’

Step 4- You can alsoplace a pin on themap at the locationof your business. Onceall the information iscomplete, click on‘Save’.

Step 3- Add yourbusiness to Foursquare forBusiness by completingthe information asked forin the form.

Step 5- Click the box that says you‘Agree to the Venue Platform Terms ofUse. Then Click ‘Get Started’.

Step 6- Enter your business’s phonenumber for verification. Then Click‘Continue’.

Step 7- You will receive a phone call.Enter the code when prompted. ThenClick ‘Continue’. Once you are verifiedyou can alter or edit your business’sprofile.

~LinkedIn~

A LinkedIn Company Page gives a business a fantastic opportunity

to promote its products and services, recruit top talent, and share

important, interesting, and useful updates.

Anyone with a company name and company email address can

create a LinkedIn Company Page within minutes.

The best part is that it’s free and easy….

At first need To Create an Account on LinkedIn Company. Start

by going to https://www.linkedin.com

Step 1- Create your user name, select a password and mail.Then click ‘Join Now’.

Step 2- Add your country &postal information.

Then click ‘Next’.

Step 3- set your job title,company and industry. Thenclick ‘Create your profile’.

Step 4- Select what you wouldlike your listing to accomplish,whether it’s to build yournetwork, find a job, or you’reopen to any opportunity!

Step 5- Add your business’ information. Then click ‘Continue’ and confirm it.

Step 6- Open your e-mailaccount and find theconfirmation e-mail fromLinkedin. Follow the instructionsprovided.

Step 7- Provide your businessphone number or click ‘Skip’.

Step 8- Add your Companiesor click ‘Skip’.

Step 9- Upload any business-related or product photos that youwant to appear on the site. Photos are very helpful for brand andcompany recognition and are highly encouraged.

Now you need to Add Your CompanyGo to >>

https://www.linkedin.com/company/add/show

Step 10- Fill in the companyname and your emailaddress at the company. Thiscannot be your personalemail or an address from apublic network such asOutlook, Hotmail, or Gmail.It’s also here that you’ll haveto verify you are authorizedto work on behalf of thebusiness.

Step 11- Just check yourinbox, click the link in theemail and then complete theprofile information for yourbusiness. You’ll then haveyour own LinkedIn CompanyPage!

Angie’s List Angie’s List is a user-specific online site that allows consumers to providefirst-hand reviews of local businesses. To ensure that all reviews areaccurate, Angie’s List requires that all users register and pay to use thesite, as a way of verifying their comments. Setting up your business onAngie’s List allows it to be easily found and lets you take advantage ofpositive reviews from your customers. This is a free service.

To get started go to the Angie’s List Business Center at:http://www.angieslistbusinesscenter.com/.

And click on ‘Claim Your Profile’.

Steps to Registering with

Angie’s List

Step 1- Perform asearch for yourcompany by typingin your business’sname and zip code.Then Click ‘Search’.

Step 2- Select yourbusiness if you canfind it. If you haven’tadded it yet thenclick on ‘AddCompany’.

Step 3- Fill in your company’sinformation and Click ‘Continue’.

Step 4- Set up youraccount, check theconfirmation box andClick ‘Submit’.

Your Angie’s List Company Profile is now step up. You can updateyour profile’s information at any time.

CitySlickCitySlick.net gives local businesses a unique way to advertise by creating

profiles of their business. Doing so allows local businesses to advertise and

build their brand anywhere and everywhere on the Web.

It is free to claim your small business’s listing, but you will receive additional

benefits with paid memberships.

To get started

claiming your small

business listing Go

to:

https://www.cityslic

k.net/compare.php.

Step 1- Compare thepackages and afterchoosing one, clickon the ‘Order Now’button that appearsunderneath thepackage title.

Step 2- Fill in basicinformation aboutyour company

Step 3- Agree to theCitySlick Terms ofService and enter thecaptcha code, thenclick on ‘Submit‘.

Step 4- Choose theprimary classification(category) for yourbusiness.

Step 5- Choose akeyword phrase foryour business. This isvery different fromkeywords, so payclose attention to theinstructions on thescreen.

Step 6- Fill out acomplete descriptionof your business.

Step 7- Now you canchoose the actualkeywords for yourbusiness. Thencontinue on tocomplete moredetails about yourbusiness.

Step 8- Fill out evenmore details aboutyour companyincluding the actualname, slogan,proposition, andmore.

Step 9- Indicate thepricing of yourproducts or servicesand then click on‘Submit’.

Step 10- Once you’ve filled out all the information, it’s just awaiting game. Your listing will be reviewed and whenapproved, you’ll receive an email with a link to your new listingon CitySlick.

KudzuKudzu is another online business directory that has become very popular withInternet users. The directory aggregates ratings and reviews on localbusinesses all over the country. Users can also search for local businesses intheir area. This is a free online directory.

To register

your

business on

Kudzu start

by going to

https://regist

er.kudzu.co

m/package

Select.do.

Step 1- Click on the ‘Claim Your Profile’link at the top of the page.

Step 2- You will have achoice between anEnhanced Profile, whichyou will pay for, or aBasic Profile, which isfree.

Choose a profile and

click ‘Get Started’.

Step 3- Create your username, select a passwordand choose a securityquestion.

Then click ‘Continue’.

Step 4- Add your business’s information.

Then click ‘Continue’.

Step 4- Choose acategory, sub-categoryand occupation foryour business listing.Then click ‘Continue’.

Step 5- Add specialty services ifappropriate . Then click ‘Continue’.

Step 6- Next review your company’sprofile information.

Step 8- Click the ‘Accept Terms’ iconand then click ‘Publish’.

Step 7- Open your e-mail accountand find the confirmation e-mailfrom Kudzu. Follow the instructionsprovided.

Your business’s Kudzu listing is now confirmed and will

appear on the website in about 48 hours. Now Internet

users will be able to search for your business and read

reviews from previous clients.

Bonus Section

Facebook Pages

Facebook Pages lets yougather as many fans asyou want. It alsoprovides a way tointeract with a largescale of customers. Youcan set up FacebookPage links on all of yourbusiness’s online mediaoutlets, which lets onlineusers go to the fan pageand directly interact withyour company.

This increases your SERPspresence, as well asincreasing customerparticipation and brandrecognition.

To start creating a Facebook Page go to:www.facebook.com and either log into youraccount or sign up for an account.

Steps to Creating a Fan

Page for your Business

Step 1- If you do not alreadyhave a Facebook account foryour business then you need tocreate one. If you do alreadyhave an account you can skipthis section.

First Facebook will ask you ifyou already have friends- youcan skip this by clicking ‘Skipthis step’.

Step 2- Fill out theprofile information foryour business or skipwhat information youdo not want to appearonline.

Step 3- Upload any business-related orproduct photos that you want toappear on the site. Photos are veryhelpful for brand and companyrecognition and are highlyencouraged.

Step 4- Facebook will askyou to verify the e-mailaddress that you haveprovided for them. This e-mail address will bepublically shared so makesure it is something that youwant to be available on theinternet. Open your e-mailand click ‘Agree’.

Step 5- You havenow created aFacebook profilepage and have aFacebook account.

You will want to addphotos and othercontent to make yourcompany profilepage interesting toonline viewers. Youwill also want to shareit with as many‘friends’ as is possible.

Step 6- At the topof the page is asmall drop-downarrow. Click onthat to see the“Create a Page”option.

Step 7- Choose whattype of Fan Page youwant to create- either alocal business or place ora company, organizationor institution.

Step 8- Once you have chosen a page tocreate, you will be asked to fill out thebusiness’ name and click on ‘Get Started’. Byclicking on this, you are agreeing toFacebook Page’s Terms.

Step 9- Fill in the securitycheck words and click‘submit’.

Step 10- Upload or importphotos for your FacebookPage.

Step 11- Invite asmany friends ascontacts as you canto share yourFacebook Page.

Then add yourwebsite’s URL addressand a short descriptionthat tells viewers aboutyour company.

Your FacebookPage is now set up.

Constant updates,interesting contentand photos andestablishing asmany contacts asyou can will helpensure that yourFacebook Pagegathers fans andkeeps yourcompany listedhigh up on SERPs.

Free Services or Pay Services?

• Google My Business- Free

• Aabaco (LocalWorks)- Pay

for services

• Bing Places- Free

• Yelp- Free

• Merchantcircle-Free with

additional pay plans

available

• Yellow Pages.com- Free

• Superpages- Free

• Citysearch- Free

• MapQuest/Yext- Pay for

services

• Local.com- Free

• Foursquare-Free

• LinkedIn- Free

• Angie’s List.com- Free

to claim a business

• CitySlick- Free to claim

a business

• Kudzu- Free

• BONUS! Facebook

Page- Free

Thank You!Would you like us to do all this work for you? Pleasecontact us at:

Rocketmarketingfl.com

(352)277-7834

Owner- Tim Edwards